The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Professional Program in Nursing is celebrating its 30th year of offering Registered Nurses (RN) a baccalaureate completion program. The UW-Green Bay RN to BSN program was approved by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin system in 1980. Professor Agnes Janoscrat was named the first Chairperson and Dr. Mimi Kubsch was hired to plan and implement the program. (Dr. Kubsch has been the “face and hands” of the program for many years and remains on the faculty today.) Classes began in the fall of 1981.

The program received national accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission in 1987 and has been subsequently accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. In 1995, in collaboration with University of Wisconsin (UW) Nursing Programs in Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh and Eau Claire, the program began an online track for RNs across Wisconsin now known as BSN@HOME. This was followed by the development of the BSN-LINC track in 2000 through which RNs from across the United States can complete their BSN online from UW-Green Bay. In 2007, funding was obtained to extend the program’s reach to northern areas of the state resulting in classes offered in Rhinelander and Marinette. That same year, a 5 year federal grant was awarded to the 5 UW nursing programs to enhance technology in nursing education. The grant culminated in 2011 with an “E-Learning in Nursing” conference hosted by UW-Green Bay. 2011 also was the year in which the Professional Program in Nursing graduated its 1000th BSN prepared nurse. Dr. Derryl Block, the current Chairperson, leads a department of 11 faculty and staff. The program has 36 Associate Degree Campus Partners from 24 states across the US.

Those visiting the Professional Program in Nursing Office located on the 3rd Floor of Rose Hall (Suite 325) on the beautiful UW-Green Bay campus can view the “History Wall”, a recent addition detailing more of the program’s highlights. Additionally, the program is posting a retrospective video and asking alumni and friends for their memories. The piece by student marketing assistant Ariel Weishoff is online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-jWMRw3V4w.

A highlight of the 30th Anniversary celebration is a webinar to which alumni and students of the program have been invited to participate in April. The webinar, “Caring Theory”, will be presented by internationally recognized nursing scholar Jean Watson in honor of the program’s anniversary. Dr. Watson is Distinguished Professor of Nursing and holds an Endowed Chair in Caring Science at the University of Colorado Denver and Anschutz Medical Center Campus. She is founder of the original Center for Human Caring in Colorado and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. She is a widely published author and recipient of several awards and honors and holds six (6) Honorary Doctoral Degrees, including 3 International Honorary Doctorates.

For more information about the Professional Program in Nursing history, the 30th Anniversary activities or about the program in general, please email nursing@uwgb.edu .

UWGB Accounting students have been reaching out to lend a helping hand to the community through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Through VITA, a program sponsored by the IRS, UWGB students have been helping lower income taxpayers and fellow students prepare their income tax returns. The students are helping with taxes at one of several locations in the Green Bay area. They are getting hands-on experience in dealing with clients and applying principles learned in the classroom to real life situations. In addition, students are gaining a great sense of satisfaction from having provided a valuable service to the community and the taxpayers they have assisted. Contact faculty member, Jim Loebl, for more information.

Workshop presentation: Directing one’s own career, planning one’s philosophy for teaching, research, and service, to align with the mission of this University, but also to focus on service activities in which one should be engaged, and how to write that focus and philosophy up into a personal narrative to use when going up for tenure and/or promotion.

Goals of the workshop:

Learn the value of having philosophy statements to guide your teaching, scholarship, and service

Mike Folwer and Tyler Rindo share their love of music with Jefferson students

The Phuture Phoenix program, part of UWGB’s Institute for Learning Partnership, is currently piloting a K-5 Phuture Phoenix college awareness curriculum with Jefferson Elementary School in Green Bay. The goal of Phuture Phoenix staff and Jefferson School is to instill in each student that a college education can become part of their future. Each classroom at Jefferson has adopted a college or university theme, and Fridays have been designated as “college” day when the students wear bright orange T-shirts and discuss some aspect of the college experience.

On February 29, 2012 an all school assembly recognized several Jefferson students who have shown extra efforts or admirable achievements in academics and/or behavior. In addition, two UW-Green Bay music education majors, Mike Fowler and Tyler Rindo volunteered their time to talk to the students about college, and shared some of their musical talents with the students. This new partnership allows the Phuture Phoenix program to reach students at a young age, and inspire them to include higher education in their life goals.

Marcy Jivery, a senior BSW student, will be presenting her research “Gender-Specific Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use” at the ninth annual “Posters in the Rotunda” event on Wednesday, March 7 in Madison. State leaders will view poster presentations of research projects such as Marcy’s, and learn more about how this work enriches their college experience. Academic research on campuses such as UW-Green Bay is said to have major effects on Wisconsin’s economy, and it better prepares students for the 21st century workforce. Marcy is part of a group of 200 undergraduate students and faculty advisors that will fill the Capital Rotunda to share their original research.

BSW student Marcy Jivery examines best-practice interventions for co-occurring post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use in women. Research supports that cognitive behavioral, harm reduction, and strength-based techniques are applicable and effective. Additionally, trauma-informed care is highlighted as necessary for competency and awareness within social work practice.

Congratulations to Marcy and her faculty advisor, Social Work’s Dr. Jolanda Sallmann.